[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70206-70207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29531]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc.  TM-02-09]


Notice of Program Continuation

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice Inviting Proposals for fiscal year (FY) 2003 grant funds 
under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that for the Federal-State Marketing 
Improvement Program (FSMIP) for FY 2003 the Continuing Budget 
Resolution as well as U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate 
Appropriations Bills provide $1,347,000, the same amount as for FY 
2002. States interested in obtaining funds under the program are 
invited to submit proposals. While only State Departments of 
Agriculture or other appropriate State Agencies are eligible to apply 
for funds, State Agencies are encouraged to involve industry groups and 
community-based organizations in the development of proposals and the 
conduct of projects.

DATES: Funds will be allocated on the basis of one round of 
consideration. Proposals will be accepted through February 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Proposals may be sent to: FSMIP Staff, Transportation and 
Marketing Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4009 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janise Zygmont, FSMIP Staff Officer, 
(202) 720-2704.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FSMIP is authorized under Section 204(b) of 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.). FSMIP 
provides matching grants on a competitive basis

[[Page 70207]]

to assist State Departments of Agriculture or other appropriate State 
agencies in conducting studies or developing innovative approaches 
related to the marketing of U.S. food and agricultural products. Other 
organizations interested in participating in this program should 
contact their State Department of Agriculture's Marketing Division to 
discuss their proposal.
    Proposals are submitted by the State Agency and must be accompanied 
by completed Standard Forms (SF)-424 and SF-424A. Under this program, 
AMS will not approve the use of funds for advertising or, with limited 
exceptions, for the purchase of equipment or facilities. Detailed 
program guidelines may be obtained from your State Department of 
Agriculture, the above AMS contact, or the FSMIP Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip.htm .
    FSMIP funds can be requested for a wide range of marketing research 
and marketing service activities, including projects aimed at:
    (1) Developing and testing new or more efficient methods of 
processing, packaging, handling, storing, transporting, and 
distributing food and other agricultural products;
    (2) Assessing customer response to new or alternative agricultural 
products or marketing services and evaluating potential opportunities 
for U.S. producers, processors and other agribusinesses, in both 
domestic and international markets; and,
    (3) Identifying problems and impediments in existing channels of 
trade between producers and consumers of agricultural products and 
devising improved marketing practices, facilities, or systems to 
address such problems.
    While all proposals which fall within the FSMIP guidelines will be 
considered, States are encouraged to submit proposals that have 
regional or national significance and that foster innovation in the 
following arenas:
    (1) Global Economy--preparing U.S. producers to market profitably 
in a rapidly changing global environment where 96 percent of the 
world's consumers reside outside the United States;
    (2) Consumer-Driven Agriculture--responding to consumer concerns 
about health and food safety; developing new products that address the 
needs of the mobile, time-pressed consumer; and studying the uses and 
value to consumers of food labeling and packaging alternatives;
    (3) Agricultural Diversity--identifying niche market opportunities; 
exploring new markets for agricultural products, such as for industrial 
and nutraceutical applications; developing value-added products that 
meet consumer needs while enabling producers to retain a larger share 
of the food dollar; and developing marketing tools and strategies that 
will foster long term sustainability of the environment and viable 
rural communities;
    (4) Technical Innovation--using technology to improve food quality, 
develop new products or processing methods, and address food safety 
concerns through improved handling processing, or and packaging; and
    (5) Transportation and Distribution--fostering efficiencies in the 
transportation and distribution of U.S. food and agricultural products 
both domestically and overseas; addressing challenges to exporters of 
identity-preserved grain and other specialty commodities; assisting 
small and medium scale producers overcome barriers to accessing new or 
expanded markets; and applying supply chain management in the marketing 
system.
    FSMIP is listed in the ``Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance'' 
under number 10.156 and subject agencies must adhere to Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in all Federally 
assisted programs.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: November 13, 2002.
A. J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29531 Filed 11-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P